Florida QB Luke Del Rio will miss at least two games with sprained MCL

Luke Del Rio welcome to gator nation

UPDATE: Florida announced Sunday that quarterback Luke Del Rio suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee, and that injury will keep him out for at least the next two games. That means Del Rio will miss Florida"s games against Tennessee and Vanderbilt -- both on the road -- but could be back in time for the Gators game against LSU on Oct. 8.

Del Rio was injured during the third quarter of Florida"s 32-0 win over North Texas.

ORIGINAL STORY: Looks like Tennessee won"t be the only team banged up heading into its rivalry game against Florida. Barring a miracle, it looks as though the Gators will be without starting quarterback Luke Del Rio.

"We"ll probably be missing him," coach Jim McElwain told an ESPNU broadcast about Del Rio"s availability for Tennessee.

Del Rio was injured in the third quarter of Florida"s 32-0 win over North Texas when a Mean Green defender hit the quarterback low on his left knee. Del Rio fell awkwardly but was able to walk off the field under his own power.

Here"s the hit in slow motion ...

"Obviously, I took that low hit on Luke awful personal. I told him after the ballgame that I"m sure his guy was just scrambling trying to make a play," McElwain continued on the broadcast. "You know what, I really care about these players. I care about them in more ways than just as football players. When you see something like that, it"s my responsibility when their parents aren"t here to be their parents. Each and every guy on this football team knows how much I care for him. I got their back.

"Like I said, no bad blood there at the end at all. I"m sure, like I said, their guy was probably just trying to make a play. They had been called on it a couple times in previous games, but it"s not something they coach, I know that."

Del Rio was 14-of-25 for 186 yards and an interception before the injury. He started all three games this season for the Gators, completing 62-of-101 passes for 762 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

Source: http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/florida-will-probably-be-missing-starting-qb-luke-del-rio-for-vols-game/